Shoe Sole

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a shoe sole consisting of a multilayer complex provided with: an upper first outer insole surface ( 1 ) having an antiskid honeycomb profile; a three-dimensional textile structure ( 4 ) formed of vertical propylene fibers ( 5 ) enabling shocks to be absorbed; and a lower second outer surface ( 3 ) having a high strength surface made of polyester with high antibacterial and antifungal toughness.

The present invention relates to a shoe sole, made of athree-dimensional textile.

Soles made up of shock-absorbing and/or insulating materials such ascompounds and foams (silicone, polyurethane, etc.) are known.

The use of this type of material in the clothing industry has thedrawback of consuming extremely high amounts of energy in itsmanufacture and of being very complicated to recycle.

This fact penalizes companies marketing their products especially in theEuropean Union.

What is more, the air bubbles present in the foams act like as many aircushions which gradually absorb energy through an increase in pressure.Through use and over time the material becomes porous and thus loses itsshock-absorbing capabilities.

It is known that a shoe is made up of a superposition of layers thesebeing, from foot to ground:

-   -   the insole sock: antibacterial and antifungal comfort,        ventilation, absorption and desorption capability;    -   the insole: this supports the insole sock (to which it is        bonded), the midsole and the upper (to which it is stitched);    -   the midsole: this acts as thermal insulation and as a shock        absorber, and is generally assembled with the insole sock and,        as appropriate, with any puncture-proof insert there might be,        by bonding.

The object of the present invention is to produce soles capable ofabsorbing repeated mechanical impacts while at the same time having goodshape memory.

The specifications that the sole according to the present invention hasto meet are as follows:

-   -   recycling and ecodesign in accordance with the specifications of        the European Directive;    -   damping,    -   flexing,    -   antibacterial and antifungal functions,    -   non-slip,    -   ergonomics, variable geometry,    -   ventilation,    -   insulation from moisture    -   thermal insulation and electrical conductivity.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of amultilayer complex provided:

-   -   with an upper first external hygiene face exhibiting a non-slip        honeycomb profile,    -   with a three-dimensional textile structure formed of vertical        rods made of impact-absorbing polypropylene,    -   and with a lower second external face exhibiting a high-strength        surface made of a polyester with very good antibacterial and        antifungal properties.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of an upperfirst external hygiene face which is made of antibacterial, antifungaland antistatic composite threads.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of an upperfirst external hygiene face which forms the insole sock of a shoe.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of athree-dimensional textile structure which forms the insole of a shoe.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of a lowersecond external face which forms the midsole of a shoe.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of athree-dimensional textile structure which comprises a number of verticalrods which varies according to the regions on which the foot will rest.

The shoe sole according to the present invention consists of athree-dimensional textile structure which is made up of biocides in itsexternal faces consisting respectively of the insole sock and themidsole.

The description which will follow with reference to the attacheddrawings given by way of nonlimiting examples will allow for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its features and the advantages it isliable to afford:

plate 1 is a schematic view illustrating the shoe sole according to thepresent invention;

plate 2 is a schematic view depicting the principle behind the reactionto flexing of the shoe sole according to the present invention;

plate 3 is a schematic view showing the distribution of the bristles ofthe three-dimensional textile of the shoe sole according to the presentinvention;

plate 4 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of ventilation ofthe shoe sole according to the present invention; and

plate 5 is a schematic view depicting the principle of insulationagainst moisture of the shoe sole according to the present invention

Plate 1 shows a sole S consisting of a multilayer complex combining theinsole sock 1, the insole 2 and the midsole 3.

The insole sock 1 has a non-slip, micro-ventilated, antibacterial,antifungal and antistatic honeycomb profile. This insole sock is made ofcomposite threads like those described and protected in French patentapplication FR 2 882 267 in the name of the applicant.

The insole 2 is made up of a three-dimensional textile structure 4formed of vertical impact absorbing polypropylene rods 5 the density ofwhich can vary according to the supporting regions and according to thedesired degree of insulation from moisture.

The midsole 3 is a high-strength surface consisting of a polyester withvery good antibacterial and antifungal properties. The midsole 3 alsoforms a base onto which to attach the sole S.

Plates 2 and 3 depict the principle of reaction to flexing anddistribution of the vertical rods 5 in the three-dimensional textilestructure 4 of the insole 2 that forms the shoe sole S.

The vertical rods 5 act like as many shock absorbers which reactindividually to the pressure region and pressure from the foot.

The three-dimensional textile structure 4 provides good longitudinal andlateral flexibility so as to accompany the foot in all the movementsthereof.

To improve hygiene, comfort and safety throughout the life of theproduct, the three-dimensional textile structure 4 is made up ofbiocides protected by French patent application FR 2 882 267 in itsexternal faces consisting respectively of the insole sock 1 and themidsole 3.

The presence of this biocide on the two external faces protects the soleof the feet from infections or fungal infections and protects the bottomof the shoe from malodorous colonizations.

The external faces consisting respectively of the insole sock 1 and themidsole 3 of the three-dimensional textile structure 4 are formed of ahoneycomb complex exhibiting a surface with grip perfectly suited tointensive use (sport). The structure prevents friction, which is knownas fooling.

It is clearly evident that providing the foot with good support involvesthere being a great many vertical rods 5 in the three-dimensionaltextile structure 4 in the regions supporting the sole of the foot wherebody weight distribution is the greatest.

It is therefore absolutely essential to increase the strength of thethree-dimensional textile structure 4 by increasing the number anddensity of vertical rods 5 in the necessary supporting regions.

Plate 4, figures A and B, illustrates the principle of ventilation ofthe shoe sole S according to the present invention.

Thus, each time pressure P is exerted on the sole S, the air presentbetween the two external contact faces consisting respectively of theinsole sock 1 and the midsole 3, will be expelled to the ends of theshoe (figure A).

Conversely, each time the sole S regains its shape R, an inrush of freshair will enter between the two external contact faces consisting of theinsole sock 1 and the midsole 3 respectively (figure B).

In other words, an aerodynamic phenomenon will ventilate the bottom ofthe shoe on each step leading, under the pressure phenomenon, to a swiftexpulsion of the hot air AC and moisture H contained in the sole Sfollowed by an inrush of fresh air AF when the sole regains its shape.

Plate 5 depicts the principle of insulating a shoe sole S according tothe present invention against moisture.

The three-dimensional textile structure 4 provides perfect insulationagainst perspiration. The porosity and the absorption capacity of theupper external face consisting of the insole sock 1 traps theperspiration which is then drained away by the three-dimensional textile4.

The sole S according to the present invention is able, unlike foams, toremove and store moisture away from the skin. This then avoids soakingeffects, the risks of reddening and of blistering due to the softeningof the skin.

The three-dimensional textile structure 4 contains a significant volumeof air which insulates the sole of the foot from the internal surface ofthe shoe. The air volume thus present creates a buffer region betweenthe materials of the shoe which are conductive by contact and the foot.

Also, the presence of the thread described in French patent applicationFR 2 882 267 allows for the discharge of static electricity.

It must also be understood that the foregoing description has been givenmerely by way of example and that it does not in any way restrict thefield of the invention and that replacing the embodiment detailsdescribed with any other equivalent would not constitute departure fromthe field of the invention.

1. A shoe sole, characterized in that it consists of a multilayercomplex provided: with an upper first external hygiene face (1)exhibiting a non-slip honeycomb profile, with a three-dimensionaltextile structure (4) formed of vertical rods (5) made ofimpact-absorbing polypropylene, and with a lower second external face(3) exhibiting a high-strength surface made of a polyester with verygood antibacterial and antifungal properties.
 2. The shoe sole asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper first externalhygiene face (1) is made of antibacterial, antifungal and antistaticcomposite threads.
 3. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, characterizedin that the upper first external hygiene face forms the insole sock (1)of a shoe.
 4. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thatthe three-dimensional textile structure (4) forms the insole (2) of ashoe.
 5. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thelower second external face forms the midsole (3) of a shoe.
 6. The shoesole as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the three-dimensionaltextile structure (4) comprises a number of vertical rods (5) whichvaries according to the regions on which the foot will rest.
 7. The shoesole as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the three-dimensionaltextile structure (4) is made up of biocides in its external facesconsisting respectively of the insole sock (1) and the midsole (3).